Renovating

Curb Appeal: Even a classic beauty can use a facelift

New shingles could feature the same nutty brown solid tint as the door. An empty space to the right of the door lends itself to a spacious seating area.

Photograph by: Suzanne Rowe
, The Gazette

I used to love watching those funny '50s movies like the ones with Doris Day and Rock Hudson. They could have easily lived in this week's home. It represents beautiful and timeless modern architecture that will continue to age gracefully.

The giant front door is simply magnificent with its repetition of tawny planks, angular top and reflective tinted glass that almost looks like a mirror. But as for the light grey roof, it has seen better days. I suggest, for the new shingles, the same nutty brown solid tint as the door. Since the massive stairway and a few of the bricks on the wall are grey, I chose a matching colour to paint the white vertical siding, the garage door and its contour, as well as the top and bottom of the bay window - all in a slightly warmer tone and in a matte finish. Simple transparent glass light fixtures, bolder address digits and a tall mailbox would add a fresh hint of youth to the entry.

The left flower bed area can be refigured for strong visual impact. A showcased organic architectural element is needed to inject style and complement the entrance. On one of my regular trips to my favourite nursery, some sculptural conifers caught my eye. There was a gorgeous mature Chamaecyparis filif-era that looked like an overgrown bonsai, but it was very expensive and it also needed yearly pruning. I opted for a more affordable medium size Picea abies Pendula. This evergreen requires guidance to reach the right height to maintain its high arched back and droopy head. I recommend buying a good sized specimen since these are not in a hurry to grow.

A trio of different sized boulders near the driveway could help retain some additional, well-drained soil, so that the surface at the back of the rocks would be level with the square pathway. A bunch of Buxus bushes, with their tamed, sphere-like shape, will frame both sides of this small walkway.

A thick layer of dark brown mulch on all exposed earth will discourage most weeds among the newly planted vegetation.

On the right side of the residence, an empty space without a mission lends itself to a more spacious seating area than the porch. In a bow line in front of the bay window, a hedge of red-orange flowering bushes would hide the hollow gap. A row of ornamental grass perennials placed from the right corner of the facade all the way to the driveway will create a cozy, cocooning effect. Light grey patio slabs ought to be levelled to create a floor. In a random pattern, some spaces will be left between the stones to accommodate Thymus serpyllum. This perennial ground cover will tolerate a light traffic on its tiny scented foliage and purple blooms. The clean lines of contemporary exterior armchairs would reflect the current mood of the home while creating a more inviting spot.

As edges contouring the driveway, I chose a tough plant that resembles lavender. Again, with a generous layer of mulch, the Nepeta perennial will provide high-return because of the tint of its light foliage, fine texture and flowering duration, as well as the fact that it needs less watering than annuals. When the blooms are at the end of their performance, a quick trim of the wilted petal stems will reveal, only for a while, the contrasting grey-green tone of a mini hedge. A second, more discreet show of soft purple flowers will last till end of summer. On the street side of the driveway, orange dahlia annuals will fill the extremities of the semicircle bed.

The look of the existing hedge between the left low post and the right one, not shown here, would be improved by being freed of the more common hostas. The bushes should be trimmed in a trapezoid form. A drastic pruning of the interior branches of the weeping Morus will make it less static and dense. For a natural feel, the base of the mushroom shape would benefit from having a few branches longer than others, as my drawing illustrates. On the left corner of the house, a medium size pyramidal Smaragd will hide the garbage bin.

Vegetation, from left:

- Thuja Smaragd: pyramidal evergreen, left corner

- Nepeta x faassenii Blue Wonder: perennial hedge, purple

- Picea abies Pendula: weeping conifer, near boulders

- Buxus Green Velvet: three to five on each side of small walkway

- Tropaeolum majus: annuals, orange, brick flower boxes

- Dahlia Gallery Art Deco: annuals, orange, lamp posts

- Potentilla Red Robin: shrub hedge, red-orange, bay window

- Thymus serpyllum: perennial ground cover, purple, floor

- Calamagrostis Karl Foer-ster: grasses, hedge, right side

Most homes can use a little bit of help when it comes to warming up their curb appeal. If you would like some inexpensive ideas on how to improve the appearance of your home, send a clear photo of your house with your commentary to: Suzanne Rowe, Designer, suro@bell.net

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